# NTSB MIA86FA142: Cessna 172N, N4838G, Starkville, MS, May 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1986, 22:50 local (May 3, 1986, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: Starkville, MS
- Coordinates: 33.44902, -88.820549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4490&lon=-88.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA142

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD PURCHASED WINE COOLER BEVERAGES BEFORE GOING TO THE ARPT. HE STATED THAT HE DRANK FROM ONE OF THE BOTTLES BEFORE THE FLT. THE PLT TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 2230 CDT. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE FLEW BACK OVER THE ARPT & MADE A LOW PASS OVER A BUILDING (PLT LOUNGE). HE INITIATED A 2ND PASS TOWARD THE PLT LOUNGE (DURING DARKNESS), BUT THE ACFT STRUCK TREES, CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE RPRTD. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD (TAKEN 1 HR & 20 MIN AFTER THE ACDNT) SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 25 MG% (0.025%) & A TRACE OF BUTALBITAL. FIORINAL TABLETS (BUTALBITAL) HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR MEDICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4838G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4838G-1988-12-09), registration cancelled 1988-12-09, S/N 17273385 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273385
- Airframe hours: 2210
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim Ratliff Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 28, 1986, 7 hours before
- Airport: STF, George M Bryan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 40 total, 2 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBN, 24 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860502015559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860502015559A), May 2, 1986: Cessna 172N, Starkville, MS, Destroyed. Intoxicated pilot struck trees while buzzing airports pilot lounge. Crashed and burned.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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